Building Future Learning Spaces conference

Essential forum to improveeducational facility design:

Building Future Learning Spaces conference in Dubai highlights strategies in education facility and classroom design to achieve better student outcomes

Education providers in MENA are becoming more and more innovative in schools design to cope in meeting the growing regional learner population, which will grow to over 13.7 million learners in the GCC region by 2020.

Speaking ahead of his participation in the Building Future Learning Spaces conference, Alastair Blyth a Consultant at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcommented that “the biggest shift in schools design is the recognition that a variety of spaces in schools can be used as settings for learning, and schools can use more than just the classroom box”. This ensures that education providers and designers are building facilities to ensure that maximum use can be obtained from every area of their buildings and cater for bigger student numbers.

Prakash Nair of Fielding Nair echoed the thought mentioning that “It is important to rethink most aspects of school design. That means, building quality schools that are smaller than traditional schools and yet, more effective in delivering a 21^st century education”. There are various designprincipals that can be employed in designing spaces to increase capacity which will be shared at the event providing essential strategies for attendees. “By improving their facilities and infrastructure, schools will be better prepared to meet the 77 000 new student places required in Dubai by 2020” (Colliers International).

Mr Nair went on to say that “school design in recent times responds to a major realignment of education itself from the prevalent teacher-centered model towards a largely student-directed model” As with external buildings and sporting facilities, classroom design will have to be relooked at as traditional teaching and learning methods are evolving with learning becoming learner centered.“The future of learning is moving more and more towards facilitated independent learning”, Dr Cindy Gunn from the American University of Sharjah mentioned.Many institutions are incorporating active learning spaces from a schools level all the way up to university and vocational training centers globally to create vibrant learning spaces for student lead discussions which have a positive impact on achievement.

A series of sessions relating to the design of learning spaces and how this impacts learner engagement will feature on 25 March 2015, for delegates to get essential insights on how technology will transform teaching methods benefitting learners. Topics will highlight designing active learning spaces, incorporating ICT into classrooms as well as the impact that technology and environmental factors have on learning.

Building Future Learning spaces will feature presentations from industry leading organisations consisting of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development,Tecom Investments Education Cluster, Goldline Education, TheBritish University in Dubai, Consilium Education, Fielding Nair International, Laureate International Universities, Hult International Business School, The Arabian Education and Training Group, AURA Academic Institutions, Institute of Management Technology, Brighton College International Schools, Blossom Nursery/Blossom Early Learning Centre, Global Schools Foundation, Kids Island Nursery, American University in Sharjah, Taaleem, The American University in Cairo, Ajman Academy,  Jeddah Knowledge International School, Kids First Group, Emirates Green Building Council, Al Najah Group and many more….

Caption: Building Future Learning Spaces conference in Dubai highlights strategies in education

Facility and classroom design to achieve better student outcomes

Building Future Learning Spaces is the region’s leading event focusing on the design, build and maintenance of outstanding education facilities for kindergarten, schools, colleges and universities in MENA.  As student demand increases, governments and private groups need to invest significantly into their infrastructure to attract new students, create world-class facilities, and remain competitive in the fast-growing MENA education market.For more information, visit www.buildingschoolsmena.com

For further press information please contact:

Lucia Kasanicka

Informa Middle East

Tel: +971 4 407 2670 / Mob: +971 52 6213 777

Email: lucia.kasanicka@informa.com